The Ministry of Minority Affairs has sanctioned Pre-Matric Scholarship to over 9,65,000 students from Minority communities till 15th October 2010.An official release said that the target for the current Financial Year is 20 lakh scholarships with a provision of 450 crore rupees. Out of this, 108 crore rupees has been actually utilized till date. The Pre-Matric Scholarship Scheme is covered under the Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programme for the Welfare of Minorities.